Question 1

Which of the following best describes the function of the pulmonary circuit in the cardiovascular system?

Accepted Answer

It pumps oxygen-poor blood to the lungs for gas exchange.

Question 2

A patient presents with pericarditis. Which of the following is a likely clinical sign you would detect using a stethoscope?

Accepted Answer

A pericardial friction rub (creaking sound)

Question 3

Which layer of the heart wall is responsible for the contractile force that pumps blood?

Accepted Answer

Myocardium

Question 4

The left ventricle has thicker walls than the right ventricle. What is the primary reason for this anatomical difference?

Accepted Answer

The left ventricle pumps blood with greater pressure to the systemic circuit.

Question 5

Which of the following equations best represents the relationship between cardiac output (CO), heart rate (HR), and stroke volume (SV)?

Accepted Answer

$$CO = HR 	imes SV$$

Question 6

During ventricular contraction, which heart valve prevents backflow of blood into the left atrium?

Accepted Answer

Mitral (bicuspid) valve

Question 7

Which structure anchors the cusps of the atrioventricular (AV) valves to the papillary muscles?

Accepted Answer

Chordae tendineae

Question 8

A patient with valvular stenosis will experience which of the following physiological changes?

Accepted Answer

Heart must exert more force to pump blood.

Question 9

Which of the following is TRUE regarding coronary circulation?

Accepted Answer

It delivers blood to the heart muscle itself.

Question 10

Which of the following veins empties directly into the right atrium, returning blood from the heart muscle?

Accepted Answer

Coronary sinus

Question 11

Which of the following statements about cardiac muscle cells is correct?

Accepted Answer

They are striated, branched, and contain numerous large mitochondria.

Question 12

What is the main function of gap junctions in cardiac muscle?

Accepted Answer

To electrically couple adjacent cells, allowing ions to pass from cell to cell.

Question 13

Which of the following best explains why tetanic contractions cannot occur in cardiac muscle?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac muscle fibers have a longer absolute refractory period than skeletal muscle fibers.

Question 14

Which of the following is a consequence of myocardial infarction?

Accepted Answer

Areas of cell death are repaired with noncontractile scar tissue.

Question 15

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the anatomy of the heart chambers?

Accepted Answer

The ventricles are thick-walled and are the actual pumps of the heart.

Question 16

Which of the following best describes the pathway of blood through the left side of the heart?

Accepted Answer

Pulmonary veins → left atrium → mitral valve → left ventricle → aortic semilunar valve → aorta

Question 17

Which of the following is a function of the fibrous pericardium?

Accepted Answer

It protects, anchors the heart, and prevents overfilling.

Question 18

Which equation best represents the pressure difference required to open the semilunar valves?

Accepted Answer

$$P_{ventricle} \u003e P_{artery}$$

Question 19

Which of the following is a unique feature of cardiac muscle compared to skeletal muscle?

Accepted Answer

Cardiac muscle relies almost exclusively on aerobic respiration.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the function of papillary muscles?

Accepted Answer

They anchor the chordae tendineae and prevent valve flaps from everting into the atria.

The Cardiovascular System: Heart Anatomy and Physiology

Study Guide - Practice Questions